Mass Effect is getting four novels to bridge the gap to Andromeda

As you've most likely heard by this point, Mass Effect: Andromeda will be taking place centuries after the events of Mass Effect 3. Usually this wouldn't be much of an issue, but Mass Effect 3's endings offered vastly different ways of handling the situation, with each one presenting you with far-reaching consequences that could directly shape the course of the universe.

So how do you go from a potential unity between man and machine, to Mass Effect: Andromeda where humanity is searching for a new home amidst the stars? While I personally don't have the answer, we will be able to find out through a newly announced series of Mass Effect novels that aim to bridge the story gap between Mass Effect 3 and Andromeda.

According to the publisher, Titan Books, "the novels will act as prequel and sequels to the events in the games and will become part of the overarching saga. They will focus on key characters and answer the many questions fans have been asking".

The first book in the series, titled as Mass Effect: Initiation (or maybe Initative as the name given is different from the book's cover) will be written by N.K. Jemisin, a fantasy writer and recipient of numerous awards for her Inheritance Trilogy. You can expect the first book to arrive in August, the second in March 2017, the third in September 2017, and the grand finale in March 2018, a year after Mass Effect: Andromeda.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of this entire series is that the final, as of yet unnamed book is being written by Mass Effect: Andromeda's Creative Director Mac Walters. I can't imagine anyone else would know the world and its structure better than him, so this is certainly a book worth waiting for if you're into the Mass Effect universe.